}}{{Quote|This is where I leave you. You are safe now. Good luck, Harry Potter. The planets have been read wrongly before now, even by centaurs. I hope this is one of those times.|Firenze bids [[Harry Potter]] goodbye in [[1992]].|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}

}}{{Quote|This is where I leave you. You are safe now. Good luck, Harry Potter. The planets have been read wrongly before now, even by centaurs. I hope this is one of those times.|Firenze bids [[Harry Potter]] goodbye in [[1992]].|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}

−

'''Professor Firenze''' was a [[centaur]], part of the [[Forbidden Forest Centaur colony]], and a [[Divination]] teacher at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] from [[1996]] to [[1998]].

'''Professor Firenze''' was a [[centaur]], part of the [[Forbidden Forest Centaur colony]], and a [[Divination]] teacher at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] from [[1996]] to [[1998]].

Line 47:

Line 46:

{{Dialogue a-b-a-b|Bane|Firenze! What are you doing? You have a human on your back! Have you no shame? Are you a common mule?|Firenze|Do you realise who this is? This is the Potter boy. The quicker he leaves this forest, the better.|What have you been telling him? Remember, Firenze, we are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens. Have we not read what is to come in the movements of the planets? ''[…]'' Centaurs are concerned with what has been foretold! It is not our business to run around like donkeys after stray humans in our forest!|Do you not see that unicorn? Do you not understand why it was killed? Or have the planets not let you in on that secret? I set myself against what is lurking in this forest, Bane, yes, with humans alongside me if I must.|[[Bane]] scolds Firenze for letting Harry ride him.|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}

{{Dialogue a-b-a-b|Bane|Firenze! What are you doing? You have a human on your back! Have you no shame? Are you a common mule?|Firenze|Do you realise who this is? This is the Potter boy. The quicker he leaves this forest, the better.|What have you been telling him? Remember, Firenze, we are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens. Have we not read what is to come in the movements of the planets? ''[…]'' Centaurs are concerned with what has been foretold! It is not our business to run around like donkeys after stray humans in our forest!|Do you not see that unicorn? Do you not understand why it was killed? Or have the planets not let you in on that secret? I set myself against what is lurking in this forest, Bane, yes, with humans alongside me if I must.|[[Bane]] scolds Firenze for letting Harry ride him.|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}

−

[[File:Флоренц.png|thumb|left|230px|Firenze in the Forbidden Forest.]]

+

[[File:Флоренц.png|thumb|left|200px|Firenze in the Forbidden Forest.]]

Firenze was, presumably, born to the centaur colony in the Forbidden Forest, and lived part of his life there.<ref name="PS15"/>

Firenze was, presumably, born to the centaur colony in the Forbidden Forest, and lived part of his life there.<ref name="PS15"/>

Line 57:

Line 56:

As Draco ran away, horrified, the hooded Voldemort turned to face Harry. The pain on his [[Harry Potter's scars#The lightning-bolt scar|scar]] made him fall to his knees, but Firenze, coming across the scene, galloped forwards and charged at Voldemort, scaring him away.<ref name="PS15"/>

As Draco ran away, horrified, the hooded Voldemort turned to face Harry. The pain on his [[Harry Potter's scars#The lightning-bolt scar|scar]] made him fall to his knees, but Firenze, coming across the scene, galloped forwards and charged at Voldemort, scaring him away.<ref name="PS15"/>

−

[[File:Firenze ride.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Firenze carries [[Harry Potter]] on his back.]]Realising how dangerous it would be to let Harry stay in the Forest, he let him on his back so that he could take him to safety.

+

[[File:Firenze_ride.jpg|thumb|210px|Firenze carries [[Harry Potter]] on his back.]]Realising how dangerous it would be to let Harry stay in the Forest, he let him on his back so that he could take him to safety.

[[Bane]] and [[Ronan]], two other centaurs from the colony, arrived there and, while Ronan said he was sure Firenze thought he had been acting for the best, Bane started yelling at him because he regarded it as a despicable action, because a centaur is not for humans to ride.

[[Bane]] and [[Ronan]], two other centaurs from the colony, arrived there and, while Ronan said he was sure Firenze thought he had been acting for the best, Bane started yelling at him because he regarded it as a despicable action, because a centaur is not for humans to ride.

Line 67:

Line 66:

{{Dialogue a-b|Parvati Patil|Professor Trelawney did astrology with us! Mars causes accidents and burns and things like that, and when it makes an angle to Saturn, like now — that means people need to be extra careful when handling hot things—|Firenze|That is human nonsense. Trivial hurts, tiny human accidents, these are of no more significance than the scurryings of ants to the wide universe, and are unaffected by planetary movements.|[[Parvati Patil]] and Firenze during their first Divination lesson, in 1996.|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}

{{Dialogue a-b|Parvati Patil|Professor Trelawney did astrology with us! Mars causes accidents and burns and things like that, and when it makes an angle to Saturn, like now — that means people need to be extra careful when handling hot things—|Firenze|That is human nonsense. Trivial hurts, tiny human accidents, these are of no more significance than the scurryings of ants to the wide universe, and are unaffected by planetary movements.|[[Parvati Patil]] and Firenze during their first Divination lesson, in 1996.|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}

This resulted in Firenze being cast out of his colony, since agreeing to work for a human was considered a betrayal of their kind.

This resulted in Firenze being cast out of his colony, since agreeing to work for a human was considered a betrayal of their kind.

Line 80:

Line 79:

====1996-1997 school year====

====1996-1997 school year====

{{Dialogue a-b-a|Sybill Trelawney|Good evening, my dear. I haven't seen you in my classes lately…|Luna Lovegood|No, I've got Firenze this year.|Oh, of course. Or Dobbin, as I prefer to think of him. You would have thought, would you not, that now I am returned to the school Professor Dumbledore might have got rid of the horse? But no… we share classes… It's an insult, frankly, an insult. |Sybill Trelawney and [[Luna Lovegood]] at the [[Slug Club Christmas party]].|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}

{{Dialogue a-b-a|Sybill Trelawney|Good evening, my dear. I haven't seen you in my classes lately…|Luna Lovegood|No, I've got Firenze this year.|Oh, of course. Or Dobbin, as I prefer to think of him. You would have thought, would you not, that now I am returned to the school Professor Dumbledore might have got rid of the horse? But no… we share classes… It's an insult, frankly, an insult. |Sybill Trelawney and [[Luna Lovegood]] at the [[Slug Club Christmas party]].|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}

−

+

[[File:DumbledoreFuneralFirenze.png|thumb|right|Firenze at the funeral of Albus Dumbledore.]]

With the departure of the [[Headmaster|Headmistress]] Dolores Umbridge from Hogwarts at the end of the school year, Professor Trelawney was reinstated by Dumbledore to her post of Divination Professor. Firenze, however, could not return to his still resentful colony, so Dumbledore let him continue teaching Divination alongside Trelawney.<ref name="HBP20">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 20 (''Lord Voldemort's Request'')</ref>

With the departure of the [[Headmaster|Headmistress]] Dolores Umbridge from Hogwarts at the end of the school year, Professor Trelawney was reinstated by Dumbledore to her post of Divination Professor. Firenze, however, could not return to his still resentful colony, so Dumbledore let him continue teaching Divination alongside Trelawney.<ref name="HBP20">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 20 (''Lord Voldemort's Request'')</ref>

−

Firenze taught the [[fifth year|fifth-year]] [[Ravenclaw]]s<ref name="HBP15"/>, though sharing classes with him caused Trelawney much consternation, as she considered it an insult to be sharing classes with a "horse".<ref name="HBP15"/> In turn, Firenze did not seem to think much of Trelawney, seeming to find her attempts at [[Cartomancy]] "almost comical."<ref name="HBP25"/>

+

Firenze taught the [[fifth year|fifth-year]] [[Ravenclaw]]s,<ref name="HBP15"/> though sharing classes with him caused Trelawney much consternation, as she considered it an insult to be sharing classes with a "horse".<ref name="HBP15"/> In turn, Firenze did not seem to think much of Trelawney, seeming to find her attempts at [[Cartomancy]] "almost comical."<ref name="HBP25"/>

After Dumbledore's death at the hands of [[Severus Snape]] atop the [[Astronomy Tower]] on the evening of [[30 June]], [[1997]], Firenze attended Dumbledore's [[Funeral of Albus Dumbledore|funeral]]. He stood "like a sentinel" by the shores of the [[Black Lake]], paying his respects to the [[wizardkind|wizard]] who had welcomed him and given him a job and a home.<ref name="HBP30">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 30 (''The White Tomb'')</ref>

After Dumbledore's death at the hands of [[Severus Snape]] atop the [[Astronomy Tower]] on the evening of [[30 June]], [[1997]], Firenze attended Dumbledore's [[Funeral of Albus Dumbledore|funeral]]. He stood "like a sentinel" by the shores of the [[Black Lake]], paying his respects to the [[wizardkind|wizard]] who had welcomed him and given him a job and a home.<ref name="HBP30">''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' - Chapter 30 (''The White Tomb'')</ref>

====1997-1998 school year and Battle of Hogwarts====

====1997-1998 school year and Battle of Hogwarts====

−

[[File:Battle6.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Explosions in the [[Viaduct Courtyard]] during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].]]

{{Quote|The House tables were gone and the ''[Great Hall]'' was crowded. The survivors stood in groups, their arms around each other's necks. The injured were being treated upon the raised platform by Madam Pomfrey and a group of helpers. Firenze was amongst the injured; his flank poured blood and he shook where he lay, unable to stand.|Description.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}

{{Quote|The House tables were gone and the ''[Great Hall]'' was crowded. The survivors stood in groups, their arms around each other's necks. The injured were being treated upon the raised platform by Madam Pomfrey and a group of helpers. Firenze was amongst the injured; his flank poured blood and he shook where he lay, unable to stand.|Description.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}

+

[[File:Battle6.jpg|thumb|240px|Explosions in the [[Viaduct Courtyard]] during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].]]

+

Firenze continued teaching at Hogwarts during Snape's tenure as Headmaster, and the [[Death Eaters]]' control over [[Wizarding world|Wizarding Britain]].<ref name="DH31">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 31 (''The Battle of Hogwarts'')</ref>

Firenze continued teaching at Hogwarts during Snape's tenure as Headmaster, and the [[Death Eaters]]' control over [[Wizarding world|Wizarding Britain]].<ref name="DH31">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 31 (''The Battle of Hogwarts'')</ref>

Line 98:

Line 98:

<ref name="DH31"/> Firenze stayed to fight, and was seriously injured on his flank which poured copious amounts of blood. He was laid on the raised platform at the [[Great Hall]] during the hour-long fighting interregnum, and was shaking and unable to stand by himself.<ref name="DH33">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 33 (''The Prince's Tale'')</ref>

<ref name="DH31"/> Firenze stayed to fight, and was seriously injured on his flank which poured copious amounts of blood. He was laid on the raised platform at the [[Great Hall]] during the hour-long fighting interregnum, and was shaking and unable to stand by himself.<ref name="DH33">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 33 (''The Prince's Tale'')</ref>

−

[[File:Screen shot 2011-11-27 at 7.13.16 PM.png|thumb|left|300px|The dead and the injured laid in the [[Great Hall]].]]

+

[[File:Screen_shot_2011-11-27_at_7.13.16_PM.png|thumb|left|225px|The dead and the injured laid in the [[Great Hall]].]]

Given his state, it is most likely Firenze did not partake in the second half of the Battle. It is likely, however, that Firenze witnessed the [[Duel in the Great Hall|duel]] between Harry and Voldemort in the Great Hall and Voldemort's final defeat.<ref name="DH36">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 36 (''The Flaw in the Plan'')</ref>

Given his state, it is most likely Firenze did not partake in the second half of the Battle. It is likely, however, that Firenze witnessed the [[Duel in the Great Hall|duel]] between Harry and Voldemort in the Great Hall and Voldemort's final defeat.<ref name="DH36">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 36 (''The Flaw in the Plan'')</ref>

Line 104:

Line 104:

Firenze, however, lay recovering in a corner after having received treatment by [[Poppy Pomfrey|Madam Pomfrey]].<ref name="DH36"/>

Firenze, however, lay recovering in a corner after having received treatment by [[Poppy Pomfrey|Madam Pomfrey]].<ref name="DH36"/>

−

−

===Later life===

===Later life===

Line 111:

Line 109:

==Personality and traits==

==Personality and traits==

−

[[File:Ss_firenze.jpg|thumb|300px|Firenze telling [[Harry Potter|Harry]] about the unicorn in the [[Forbidden Forest]].]]

+

[[File:Ss firenze.jpg|thumb|230px|Firenze telling [[Harry Potter|Harry]] about the unicorn in the [[Forbidden Forest]].]]

+

Firenze was a courageous centaur who was not as traditional or proud as most of his kind. Whereas most centaurs believed it was shameful to work alongside humans, Firenze was happy to allow Harry to ride him and became a teacher in Hogwarts.

Firenze was a courageous centaur who was not as traditional or proud as most of his kind. Whereas most centaurs believed it was shameful to work alongside humans, Firenze was happy to allow Harry to ride him and became a teacher in Hogwarts.

Line 121:

Line 119:

==Behind the scenes==

==Behind the scenes==

−

*He is portrayed by [[Ray Fearon]] in the [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'', but does not appear in the fifth film as Divination teacher, nor in any of the later films.

+

*He is portrayed by [[Ray Fearon]] in the [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'', but does not appear in any of the later films.

*In the [[Harry Potter books|books]], Firenze is said to have silver-blond hair and is even considered handsome by some students. In the ''Philosopher's Stone'' film, however, he has dark hair. He doesn't stay with Harry or let him ride on his back either, because [[Rubeus Hagrid|Hagrid]] and the others appear straight away.

*In the [[Harry Potter books|books]], Firenze is said to have silver-blond hair and is even considered handsome by some students. In the ''Philosopher's Stone'' film, however, he has dark hair. He doesn't stay with Harry or let him ride on his back either, because [[Rubeus Hagrid|Hagrid]] and the others appear straight away.

*It is possible that Firenze is based on the legend of Chiron, a centaur from Greek mythology who left his "wild and lusty" brethren to instead teach humans astrology and magic.

*It is possible that Firenze is based on the legend of Chiron, a centaur from Greek mythology who left his "wild and lusty" brethren to instead teach humans astrology and magic.

−

*In the film of ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,'' Firenze is shown to have strikely and almost glowing amber eyes instead of blue.

+

*In the film of ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,'' Firenze is shown to have strikingly and almost glowing amber eyes instead of blue.

+

*He is the fourth known professor to not be completely human, after [[Filius Flitwick]] (part goblin), [[Remus Lupin]] (a [[werewolf]]) and Rubeus Hagrid (half giant)

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

−

"Firenze" is the Italian name for the city of [[Wikipedia:Florence|Florence]]. It is interesting to note that Galileo Galilei, one of history's greatest astronomers, lived out his final years there. Firenze's teaching of Divination deals with Astrology and Astronomy, as opposed to Trelawney's fortune-telling, hence this connection.

+

* "Firenze" is the Italian name for the city of [[Wikipedia:Florence|Florence]]. It is interesting to note that Galileo Galilei, one of history's greatest astronomers, lived out his final years there. Firenze's teaching of Divination deals with Astrology and Astronomy, as opposed to Trelawney's fortune-telling, hence this connection.

Before sometime in March1996, he lived with the colony in the Forbidden Forest, on the borders of Hogwarts in Scotland. In 1992, Firenze saved Harry Potter in the forest from Lord Voldemort, frightening him away and carrying Harry on his back to safety. Despite his heroics, his herd saw this as a dishonourable act, as they considered themselves too great to be ridden by humans.

After Dumbledore was reinstated as headmaster, Trelawney was returned to her classroom, since Firenze's was still estranged with his colony, Dumbledore allowed them both to continue teaching, though Trelawney was uncomfortable with sharing her classes with a centaur.

When Firenze was injured fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts, he returned to his colony later when the other centaurs had come to the opinion that his pro-human leanings were not so shameful.

Contents

Bane: "Firenze! What are you doing? You have a human on your back! Have you no shame? Are you a common mule?"

Firenze: "Do you realise who this is? This is the Potter boy. The quicker he leaves this forest, the better."

Bane: "What have you been telling him? Remember, Firenze, we are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens. Have we not read what is to come in the movements of the planets? […] Centaurs are concerned with what has been foretold! It is not our business to run around like donkeys after stray humans in our forest!"

Firenze: "Do you not see that unicorn? Do you not understand why it was killed? Or have the planets not let you in on that secret? I set myself against what is lurking in this forest, Bane, yes, with humans alongside me if I must."

As Draco and Harry found out, it was Voldemort who, drinking the unicorns' blood, tried to remain alive long enough so that he could drink the Elixir of Life and achieve immortality.

As Draco ran away, horrified, the hooded Voldemort turned to face Harry. The pain on his scar made him fall to his knees, but Firenze, coming across the scene, galloped forwards and charged at Voldemort, scaring him away.[4]

Realising how dangerous it would be to let Harry stay in the Forest, he let him on his back so that he could take him to safety.

Bane and Ronan, two other centaurs from the colony, arrived there and, while Ronan said he was sure Firenze thought he had been acting for the best, Bane started yelling at him because he regarded it as a despicable action, because a centaur is not for humans to ride.

Firenze was angered and, leaving both centaurs behind, carried Harry on his back to safety where he was reunited with Hermione, Neville, Draco and Hagrid.[4]

Parvati Patil: "Professor Trelawney did astrology with us! Mars causes accidents and burns and things like that, and when it makes an angle to Saturn, like now — that means people need to be extra careful when handling hot things—"

Firenze: "That is human nonsense. Trivial hurts, tiny human accidents, these are of no more significance than the scurryings of ants to the wide universe, and are unaffected by planetary movements."

Sybill Trelawney: "Oh, of course. Or Dobbin, as I prefer to think of him. You would have thought, would you not, that now I am returned to the school Professor Dumbledore might have got rid of the horse? But no… we share classes… It's an insult, frankly, an insult. "

With the departure of the Headmistress Dolores Umbridge from Hogwarts at the end of the school year, Professor Trelawney was reinstated by Dumbledore to her post of Divination Professor. Firenze, however, could not return to his still resentful colony, so Dumbledore let him continue teaching Divination alongside Trelawney.[7]

Firenze taught the fifth-yearRavenclaws,[1] though sharing classes with him caused Trelawney much consternation, as she considered it an insult to be sharing classes with a "horse".[1] In turn, Firenze did not seem to think much of Trelawney, seeming to find her attempts at Cartomancy "almost comical."[2]

"The House tables were gone and the [Great Hall] was crowded. The survivors stood in groups, their arms around each other's necks. The injured were being treated upon the raised platform by Madam Pomfrey and a group of helpers. Firenze was amongst the injured; his flank poured blood and he shook where he lay, unable to stand."

Minerva McGonagall talked to students about how the underage among them, and those who were not willing to fight, were going to be evacuated before the start of the battle that would soon ensue, as Voldemort and his Death Eaters were going to start their attack at midnight.

[9] Firenze stayed to fight, and was seriously injured on his flank which poured copious amounts of blood. He was laid on the raised platform at the Great Hall during the hour-long fighting interregnum, and was shaking and unable to stand by himself.[10]

Given his state, it is most likely Firenze did not partake in the second half of the Battle. It is likely, however, that Firenze witnessed the duel between Harry and Voldemort in the Great Hall and Voldemort's final defeat.[11]

A celebration feast was later held, but teachers, parents and students were all jumbled up.

Firenze, however, lay recovering in a corner after having received treatment by Madam Pomfrey.[11]

Firenze was a courageous centaur who was not as traditional or proud as most of his kind. Whereas most centaurs believed it was shameful to work alongside humans, Firenze was happy to allow Harry to ride him and became a teacher in Hogwarts.

Firenze was willing to stand up for what he believed in even if it meant defying his colony; unfortunately this resulted in him nearly being stomped to death by the other centaurs.

He was friendly with Hagrid, and seemed to get on quite well with Harry, who was on speaking terms with him unlike most students, who found him intimidating.

Like all centaurs, Firenze commonly tried to read the future in the stars, and Ron considered him to be a slightly better teacher than Sybill Trelawney, though he was still frustrated that Firenze seemed to be able to provide very little definite information.

In the books, Firenze is said to have silver-blond hair and is even considered handsome by some students. In the Philosopher's Stone film, however, he has dark hair. He doesn't stay with Harry or let him ride on his back either, because Hagrid and the others appear straight away.

It is possible that Firenze is based on the legend of Chiron, a centaur from Greek mythology who left his "wild and lusty" brethren to instead teach humans astrology and magic.

In the film of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Firenze is shown to have strikingly and almost glowing amber eyes instead of blue.

"Firenze" is the Italian name for the city of Florence. It is interesting to note that Galileo Galilei, one of history's greatest astronomers, lived out his final years there. Firenze's teaching of Divination deals with Astrology and Astronomy, as opposed to Trelawney's fortune-telling, hence this connection.